EPP challenge with Island Batik

Some of the products featured on this site were provided to me free of charge by Island Batik, Hobbs Batting, Aurifil , AccuQuilt, ByAnnie and Schmetz Needles.

The last challenge of the year for the 2021 Island Batik Ambassadors.

This months Island Batik challenge was to make a 12″ or larger EPP project. It was a challenge for me since I could not tell you the last time I stitched anything by hand other than whip stitching a seam closed.

After much debate I settled on hexies (haha), there really was no question in my mind what I would make or which fabric I would use. One of my absolute favorite collections since becoming an Island Batik Ambassador has been Flutterfly designed by Kathy Engle and it just so happens that I already had hexies cut,

Several months ago when my die arrived from AccuQuilt I was all gung ho to make an EPP hexie quilt, even cut some from my Flutterfly scraps. However, I couldn’t seem to motivate myself because I knew the discomfort all that hand sewing would cause and I put them aside.

Really, how could you not love this collection with the rich pinks and greens, and look at that splash of teal and yellow? It’s so tropical and cheerful.

And for me it just cried HEXIES!

Here is my finish for the August Challenge using the Studio 180 Designs Corner Pop Ruler. Deb Tucker generously supplied all IBA’s with one of her rulers for this challenge.

September Challenge

Yep! Again in September for the byAnnie Challenge I received more Flutterfly to make the In Contol bag. In my defense, when I requested the fabric for my bag I did not know I was going to receive a pre-cut bundle for the August challenge. It probably wouldn’t have mattered if I had because I love it that much. It is possible I shopped for Flutterfly but since I never tell on myself you’ll cant know for sure.

Another Hexie Flutterfly finish for the year

Oh yes, again! In my defense, this Hexie quilt predates any of the previous finishes.

My lighting in the photo below is terrible but you can see from Annie’s Quilting cover photo above just how elegant these colors are. Oh, it’s the quilt in the chair, lower left of the photo above.

Other suppliers of these finishes.

All of the above were finished using Aurifil Thread for piecing and quilting. Hobbs Batting was used except for the byAnnie bag and that was included in the kit. We cannot forget Schmetz Needles, because you have to have needles to piece and quilt your finishes.

Current hexie finish

So now that you know I may have a huge addiction to FlutterFly and hexies…

My hexies were cut using the GO! Hexagon-1″, 1 1/2″, 2 1/2″ Sides Die. There are other sizes as well so you aren’t just limited to this one die.

It was going to be all about flower hexies. Then I noticed how beautiful this collection looks laying atop my cedar chest and went in a different direction. Besides, if it’s on my chest I can admire it every day!

I was really looking for the fusible hexie papers that you leave in but it seems everyone is sold out of the 2″ size. However, I did find some from Sue Daley which are a little thicker than the fusible templates and that made turning the seams so much easier. In fact, the fabric just pushes right over the edge.

I’m proud to say that while my stitching is not the most beautiful we have a finish. Shall I show you my sore finger tips and holes from the needle? It didn’t take long before I was reminded how dangerous hand sewing can be. I’ve never been so thankful for numb hands. Perhaps there will be another EPP hexie in my future just please remind me, no more than 30 minutes of sewing by hand in a day.

I love the none traditional shape. For my binding I used the 2 1/2 strip die from AccuQuilt. Hobbs Batting fusible batting was also perfect for this small finish.

Of course I can’t leave the old truck out of the photo shoot. The inside of my house is so dark and this provides the perfect backdrop with natural lighting. And isn’t it beautiful in natural light? Look at my hexies glow.

Can we have a Flutterfly 2 Island Batik?

Stop by the other Ambassador’s sites throughout the month to view the EPP with Island Batik

Click the logo below to be taken to all IBA links.

Thank you to Island Batik, AccuQuilt, byAnnie, Schmetz Needles, Aurifil Thread, Studio 180 Designs.

Linking up with Free Motion Mavericks at Quilting and Learning- What a Combo